Chicago, Illinois — The wet weather is moving out of Chicago just in time for a sunny and comfortable weekend, with temperatures expected to climb into the upper 60s Saturday and lower 70s Sunday.
The change comes after a remarkably wet start to October. Thursday, Oct. 1, recorded 1.41 inches of rain at Chicago O’Hare, making it the second-wettest October 1 on record at the airport.
Rainfall totals were even more impressive across parts of the Chicago area, with some locations picking up around 4 to 6 inches over two days.
Now, residents can look forward to a much calmer stretch of weather.
Sunshine Takes Over Chicago This Weekend
The weekend forecast is shaping up to be a major improvement after the recent soaking rain.
Saturday should bring plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures, with afternoon highs reaching the upper 60s. However, the morning could feel noticeably cooler, with temperatures dropping into the 40s across many parts of the area.
Sunday will be even warmer, with highs expected to reach the lower 70s under mostly sunny skies.
The combination of sunshine and mild afternoon temperatures should make for excellent outdoor conditions across the city and surrounding communities.
Anyone heading outside early in the day, however, may want to prepare for a chilly start before temperatures rise through the afternoon.
Bears Game Could Get Nearly Perfect Weather
Chicago Bears fans heading to Sunday’s game will have another reason to look forward to the weekend.
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The forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the lower 70s during the game, along with a northwest wind around 10 mph.
For fans arriving early for tailgating, conditions could feel a little cool, particularly during the morning hours when temperatures remain in the 40s.
However, strong October sunshine should help make the cooler start more comfortable as the day progresses.
With dry conditions expected and no major rain threat in the forecast, Sunday is shaping up to be a favorable day for spending time outdoors before and during the game.
More Sunshine Expected Monday
The pleasant weather will not disappear immediately after the weekend.
Highs are expected to remain in the 60s early next week, with additional sunshine continuing across the Chicago area.
The pattern should remain relatively dry, allowing residents to enjoy several days of calmer weather following the heavy rainfall that marked the beginning of October.
Temperatures could then take another step upward around the middle of the week.
Temperatures Could Reach the Mid-70s
A shift in the wind direction is expected around Wednesday, helping bring warmer air into the region. As winds turn more southerly, temperatures could climb into the middle 70s on Wednesday and Thursday. That would create another stretch of comfortable fall weather for outdoor activities across Chicago.
The warmer conditions could also provide favorable weather for October baseball, with dry conditions expected to continue through the latter part of the week.
Dry Weather Could Continue Through the Week
The outlook remains mostly favorable beyond Thursday, with dry conditions expected to persist through the end of the week. High temperatures could remain in the 70s for many locations, while overnight lows settle near 50 degrees.
That would keep the weather mild during the afternoons while bringing cooler fall-like conditions after sunset and during the early morning hours.
After the recent rainfall, the extended stretch of sunshine and dry weather will offer Chicago residents a noticeable change in conditions.
For now, the biggest weather story is the dramatic turnaround: a soaking start to October is giving way to sunshine, comfortable temperatures and several days of dry weather.
Are you looking forward to the sunny Chicago weekend? If you’re heading to the Bears game or spending time outdoors, share your plans and let us know how the weather looks in your neighborhood.
